Tool coupling



March 12, 1929. c. s'. THOMAS TOOL COUPLING Filed March 8, 1927 I Immvron 0245153 5. 7. 900245 A TTORNEY Patented Mar. 12, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT orFic TOOL COUPLING.

Application filed- March 8, 1927. Serial No. 173,630.

My invention relates to couplings, nore particularly to coupling means'for tools such as braces and bits or the like, and the objects of myinvention are: first, to provide a device of this class in which thetool may be easily and quickly clamped by the tool coupling, and easilyand quickly released thereby; second, to provide a-device of this classin which there are only a few parts and yet provide a rigid structureand substantial coupling; third, to provide a device of this class inwhich the tool will not loosen. but willbe held rigidly and in alinementwith the coupling even when roughly used; fourth, to provide a device ofthis class which provides a positive grip on the tool and will notpermit its longitudinal or torsional movement; fifth, to provide a toolcoupling of this class in which the parts may be made small enough sothat it can readily follow an extension drill of ordinary size; sixth,to provide a deviceof this class in which there is a combination ofthread and taper for rigidly clamping the toolmembers together, andseventh, to provide a device of this class which is economical ofconstruction, strong, durable, and which will not readily deteriorate orget out oforder.

. With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, myinventionconsists ofcertain novel features of construction, combinationand arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter describedin detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims,referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters ofreference thereon, which form apart of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a side clevational view of my tool coupling means, showingthe tool in the coupling and in operative position; Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view thereof through Q2 of Fig. 1, showing someof the parts and portions in elevation to facilitate the illustration;Fig. 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale through 33 of Fig. 2,with parts and portions shown in elevation to facilitate theillustration; Fig. 4 is an end View from the line 44 of Fig. 2, with thebit or tool removed, and Fig. 5 is a rear end view of the tool.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portionsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

The brace shanlrmember 1, bit member 2, inner sleeve member 3, outersleeve member 4,

pin member 5, and collar 6, constitute the principal parts and portionsof my tool couling.

The brace shank member 1 is a solid round member and may be connectedwith a standard rigid brace or ratchet brace or other tool, either handor power driven. Near the extremity of the brace member 1 is 'atransverse round hole 1? with a V-sha'pe'd, cutout portion 1 extending.to the extremity of the shank member, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 4 ofthe drawings. 3 The end of the bit member 2 is tapered and square. Itsextremity is cut away leaving a rounded portion 2 and a flat, V-shapedportion 2 which coincides with the portions l 'and 1, respectively, ofthe brace member 1, as shown best in F i 2 of the drawings. The innersleeve menibeu 3 fits snugly over the joint between the brace member 1and the bit member 2 and has a square, tapered aperture 3 'atitsextremity, which receives the tapered portion 3 of the bit member 2.This square portion extends into the central circular hole 3, whichextends the rest of the length of the sleeve. This inner sleeve member 3is also provided with a slot 3, which is adapted to receive the pin 5,which pin 5 is rigidly secured in the shank 1. The slots 3 and the pin5rprevcnt the sleeve 3 from turning relative to the pin member, butpermit it to be shiftedlongitudinally thereon. This sleeve 3 is providedwith ex. ternal threads 3 which are preferably square threads extendingover a portion only of the exterior of said sleeve. The outer sleevemember 4 fits overthe inner sleeve member 3 and has a threaded portion 4st the brace end, which is adapted to fit the threads 3 on the sleeve 3.It is provided at the brace end with an internal annular flange 4, whichis adapted to fit between a collar'l on the shank 1 andanother collar 6on said shank, thus permitting the sleeve 6 to revolve, but preventingits longitudinal movement. Therefore, by turning the sleeve 4 in onedirection, the sleeve member 3 is moved inwardly to a position past theportion 2 whereupon the tool member 2 maybe posi- 1 tioned by pressingthe male portion of the tool transversely into the female portion of theshank. Then the sleeve 4 may be turned in the opposite direction, whichwill slide the sleeve member 3 endwise over the tapered portion of thetool 2 untilv itrigidly grips the tool member, providing a 00111.bination screw and tapered means for clamp ios the construction,combination and arrangement substantially as set forth inthe appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim new and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent is: V I

1. In a device of the class described, a brace shank provided withadovetail female portion at one end, a tool provided with ataperedportionvand with a male portion conforming to said female portion, aninner sleeve provided with an opening in one end conforming to thetapered portion of said tool and threaded externally, and a sleeveprovided with internal threads adapted to lit on said external threadson said inner sleeve. 2. In a device of the class described, a braceshank provided with a dovetail female portion at one end, a toolprovided with a tapered portion and with a male portion conforming tosaid female portion, an inner sleeve provided with an opening in one endconforming to the tapered portion of said tool and threaded externally,a sleeve provided with internal threads adapted to fit on said externalthreads on said inner sleeve, and slot and pin means in connection withsaid shank and said inner sleeve to prevent the turning of said sleeverelative to said shank.

3. In a device of the class described, a brace shank provided with adovetail female portion at one end, a tool provided with a taperedportion and with a male portion conforming to said female portion, aninner sleeve provided with an opening in one end conforming to thetapered portion of said tool and threaded externally, a sleeve providedwith internal threads adapted to fit on said external threads on saidinner sleeve, slot and pin means in connection with said shank and saidinner sleeve to prevent the turning of 1 said sleeve relative to saidshank, and collar means in connection with said shank and said outersleeve for preventing the longitudinal movement of said outer sleeve onsaid shank but permitting its revoluble movement thereon.

i. In a device of the class described, a brace shank provided with adovetail female portion at one end, a tool provided with a male portionconforming to said female portion,

an inner sleeve provided with an opening in one end and threadedexternally, a sleeve provided'with internal threads adapted to fit onsaid external threads on said inner sleeve, and guide means inconnection with said shank and said inner sleeve to prevent the turningof said inner sleeve relative to said shank.

5. In a device of the class described, a brace shank provided with adovetail female portion atone end, a tool provided with a male portionconforming to said female port-ion,

an externally threaded member in shiftable but non-rotatable relationwith said brace shank and a revoluble non-longitudinally shiftableinternally threaded sleeve member engaging the threads of the externallythreaded member whereby the joint of said brace shank and tool may bereadily engaged and disengaged. I

6. In, means of the class described, a shank provided with a dovetailfemale portion, a tool provided with a conforming male In testimonywhereof, I have hereunto set my hand at San Diego, California, this 25thday of February, 1927. p p j CHARLES S. THOMAS.

